The Pub at that time always had old fashioned lamps in the upstairs windows which were always on after dark. I think you can just see them in the picture. The pub always looked an inviting place then . I can remember back before that time to around the late seventies when we often sat outside mainly due the fact there being no space inside!

The Marlpit Pub had been open for 68 years and had strong community use. It was originally a farm house and formed part of “Lower Farm”. If you were to look at the site surrounding the area of the pub evidence of the pubs origins adorns the area in the form of converted barns. The site of the pub also contains barns which were recently renovated and used for storage.

First opened as a pub in 1948 by the Steward & Patterson’s brewery, the first Landlord was Bertie Samuel Ellis. Bertie was a keen bowls player and this was reflected in the fact the pub has a small bowling just to right of the entrance. Originally the name came from the nearby Marlpit which is hidden from view in nearby woodland. This was excavated and used a form a fertilizer, soil conditioner & acid soil neutralizing agent. It was spread on the nearby farm land.

The pub is located almost at the crossroads of routes from nearby farms located in Costessey via Gunton Lane & Helleson Road which was the route into Norwich. The Cross roads are also intersected by Marlpit lane linking Earlham to Helleson. Also at the time was the nearby Hellesdon railway station of the Midland and Great Northern line railway. This created the demand for a pub, although the station was later closed in 1952. However, the local population rapidly increased with new housing in the surrounding area being completed. This was needed to replace bomb damaged housing after the end of WW2. Sadly the pub closed in early-May 2014,Sue King having managed the pub for it's last 6 years.